Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Differences in E-Cigarette Uptake Among Cigarette Smokers: Longitudinal Analysis of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the socioeconomic and racial/ethnic differences in e-cigarette uptake among cigarette smokers in the US, using data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study. The study aims to contribute evidence on the equity impact of e-cigarettes and examines potential explanations for differences in e-cigarette use patterns.

Key Points:

* The study uses data from the PATH study, a longitudinal, nationally representative study of tobacco product use and its impact on health.
* The analysis focuses on cigarette smokers who were e-cigarette nonusers at Wave 1 and assesses e-cigarette uptake at Wave 2.
* The study distinguishes between those who began using e-cigarettes as substitutes versus complements to cigarettes and classifies participants into four mutually exclusive Wave 2 status categories.
* Sociodemographic differences in e-cigarette uptake are assessed using binomial and multinomial logistic regression.
* The study also examines differences in tobacco-related attitudes and beliefs by SES and race/ethnicity and their association with e-cigarette uptake.
* Key findings include lower e-cigarette uptake among Black, Hispanic, and low-income smokers, and differences in tobacco-related attitudes and beliefs by SES and race/ethnicity.

Main Message:
The study suggests that sociodemographic differences in e-cigarette uptake and use patterns may contribute to widening disparities in cigarette smoking. The findings highlight the need for further research on the equity impact of e-cigarettes and the importance of considering sociodemographic factors in tobacco control policies. The study also underscores the need to address tobacco-related attitudes and beliefs that may contribute to disparities in e-cigarette uptake.

Harlow, Alyssa F, Andrew Stokes, and Daniel R Brooks. “Socioeconomic and Racial/Ethnic Differences in E-Cigarette Uptake Among Cigarette Smokers: Longitudinal Analysis of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 21, no. 10 (September 19, 2019): 1385–93. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/nty141.